They rushed through the hallways taking many twists and turns that led them deeper into the unfamiliar innards of the castle. They new it foolish to separate and ran in a tight formation.
After a while they reached what appeared to be a decaying ball room, and there in the center was Emil on his knees with his arms stretched out. At the other end was Ana. She smiled before starting at a trot to her brother.
"Emil no!" Lexy rushed forward unscrewing the top to a bottle of holy water. Ana was almost to him but not before Lexy flung her arm and water splashed in a wide arch in front of Emil.
Ana stopped dead, her once charming face gnarled into a grotesque scowl. Her lips curled back revealing her sharp canines and she released an inhuman screech before turning and flying through the air and out of the room.
Emil stared in horror as realization set in. He slammed his fist unto the floor and cried out in anguish.
Lexy kneeled by his side. "Emil, I know your pain but it's not over yet."
He nodded and got to his feet. It was then that they noticed that Andrei was missing.
Lexy cursed. She knew he was either hopelessly lost or dead, most likely the latter.
They decided to follow Ana in hopes of putting her to rest.
As they went through the door suddenly slammed shut leaving Calin, Emil and Anatolie on one side and Lexy and Abe on the other. After a few minutes of banging and shouting they realized it wasn't budging, either by ancient hinges or magic it held firm. The three Romanians decided to go forward and find Ana, Abe and Lexy would go back and try to find another way through.
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An hour in and they were still exploring rooms and corridors, Abe leading searching for a way through.
He sighed and shook his head. "Nothing, they must be out of range, or else they're..."
She nodded tiredly. "Well, we have to keep looking either way."
They entered another large chamber, alchemy circles were drawn all around in blood, fresh blood. The door slammed shut behind them and the candle sticks flickered to life with blue flames.
"Just what I need." Came a familiar voice. The woman stepped out of the shadows. "Some fresh blood." She lunged forward and it was only because she was on the other side of the room that Abe and Lexy managed to dodge her.
Lexy spun, Jackal at the ready and fired. There was a resounding crack followed by a scream of pain as the enormous bullet shot through her thigh and separated her leg from her body.
She bent down grabbing the appendage, and when she expected it to regenerate back in place as she placed it against her stub, she was furious to find out it wouldn't. She glared hatefully at Lexy. "You wench! What did you do!"
Lexy didn't bother responding instead opting to shoot again. But the vampire was already gone from the spot.
"Lexy look out!" She heard Abe shout, she turned to try and see but was greeted to a powerful fist that sent her into the wall before collapsing to the floor.
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She opened her eyes and realized she'd blacked out. Immediately she looked around for Abe and found him. He was pinned to the floor in one of the blood circles, his hands and ankles restrained by rings of purple energy and the vampire stood leering over him, a ceremonial dagger in one hand. He writhed in terror as the blade drew closer to his skin.
Lexy looked around quickly. Their kit had broken open and it's contents strewn across the room. She caught sight her gun, but it was to the far side of the room. She suddenly spotted her stake and the small vial of holy water blessed by pope Alexander. Quickly grabbing both she darted towards the vampire.
She seemed to sense her oncoming, she turned and caught Lexy in the stomach with a powerful punch sending her back to the floor, the small vial shattered in her hand and the water spilled mixing with blood from the cuts, she stared at the mixture of blood and water in dismay.
"Foolish girl!" The woman hissed. "I'll deal with you next." And turned back to Abe.
He cried out as the blade began to cut through his suit and skin of his chest.
Whether it was instinctive or foolish Lexy shot up and flew back over at the vampire.
"Get the fuck off him you BITCH!" She roared and grabbed the woman's face trying to push her off.
The woman smiled at first, she laughed, then froze. Her smile faded and all of a sudden she lurched back screaming and holding her face.
"What have you done! My face!" She screamed before removing her hands, a large glowing symbol, like a circle with eight forks coming out from the center, now scared her once perfect features.
The vampire lunged in pure rage at her. In a last minute effort Lexy thrust her stake forward, spearing the furious monster and stopping her mid flight. She spat and hissed and roared before falling still.
Lexy could only stare wide eyed as she recovered from her near death.
"The head, Lexy the head." Abe gasped.
She looked at the still creature before realizing what he meant. Right, she needed to remove the head.
She couldn't find the axe but found a bone saw among the torture weapons.
Unlike the others the vampire had just eaten and her 'meal' spilled as Lexy worked. The saw wasn't nearly as fast or clean as an axe, it took a good five long, bloody minutes to finally cut through the spinal cord. By then Lexy was exhausted both physically and mentally drained and her head and stomach was aching, and she was fiercely nauseous. The head dropped from the torso and rolled a bit before stopping.
She gathered the scattered garlic gloves and pushed them down the wind pipe and esophagus. She found a remaining bottle of holy water and doused the body and head and watched as they both shriveled and turned to dust. Finally it was over and Lexy went to free Abe.
She knelt down to examine the restraints.
"Be careful, they're some form of alchemy." He warned.
She reached out and they were both shocked as the purple rings disappeared at her touch. She helped him sit up and she started looking over his wound. A gash about five inches wide across his chest, but wasn't very deep and had already stopped bleeding, still it would need to be disinfected.
"Lexy...how did you do that, with the symbol?" He asked dazed.
She shook her head and stood before helping him up.
They left the room exhausted, helping each other down the dark corridors until they re-entered the dining room. They were exceptionally surprised to see father Anatolie, Calin and Emil standing by the exit.
Anatolie spotted them first. "Look, they're alive!"
All three turned and were shocked. The two agents went over to the survivors.
"We thought you were dead." Calin said, his face neutral.
"The vampire, is she-" The minister asked nervously.
Lexy nodded. "Turned to dust."
Abe told them what had happened, leaving out of course the glowing symbol from Lexy, and the men were at awe at her bravery and strength.
Lexy glanced at Emil. "What about..."
"Emil returned her soul to God." He nodded sadly.
Calin turned to the exit. "Let's go, this place wreaks." They all agreed and left the decomposing ruins.
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They found Cezar, Horia, Ioan, Clay and the other agents standing near the wagons, the wolves were no where to be seen.
"You've destroyed the monster." Horia said more of a statement. He pointed to the woods. "The beasts suddenly went wild turned tail and went yipping into the forest."
"What about Anghel and Dimetrie?" Ioan said noticing they were missing.
Calin shook his head.
"I see, well in all honesty I didn't really expect many of us to survive."
"Come." Cezar said getting up into the cab and taking the reins. "Let us leave this place to rot and go and ease the minds of townspeople."
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The ride back to town was slow and solemn. Since they were lacking two of their men Emil took the reins of one of their carriages. The sun had already set and the crescent moon shown bright in the clear starry sky.
Lexy and Abe sat behind Calin and Anatolie packing their things and getting ready to depart as soon as they reached the town.
They were both exhausted from the taxing mission and missed the comforts of home. Lexy decided that the first thing to do was get a bath when they reached the base. She was still stained with the dark thickly blood of the vampire and more than anything wanted to wash the foul smelling liquid off.
She was drawn out of her thoughts when she heard her name, she turned and it was Calin who spoke to her.
"Lexy, I thank you for your help." He said honestly looking her straight in the eye. "The people of my town will sleep without fear tonight because of you."
She nodded though could not work up a smile. "I only did what I could."
Calin nodded. "Yes but in truth I don't think we could have done it without you."
"It's true, you must have great faith, it seems God stands beside you in all your walks." The minister agreed.
"You should consider staying." Ioan called up. "We could use a hunter like you."
Calin agreed. "Emil is looking for a wife and it is only too bad that our woman are few now and we need more children."
Now Lexy smiled for real. A soft and grateful smile as they tried to welcome her into their homes and families.
"I thank you gentleman for your honorable offers but I think I must return home."
"If Emil is too young for you I am lacking a wife myself." Andrei half joked from the last carriage.
"Ești om atât de gelos vechi al tinereții mele?" Emil shouted back at him and caused all the men to laugh.
Lexy nearly laughed with them. "Again I thank you, but I could not leave my family."
"Family?" Calin questioned.
Anatolie smiled and nodded. "The sheep of God do not judge by blood but by loyalty."
Calin leaned over to Anatolie and whispered, "Cred că omul albastru, și ea va fi căsătorit."
"Atunci sper că vor fi fericiți și prosper." Anatolie smiled back.
Calin glanced at Abe before turning back. "Sper copiii arata ca mama lor." And both men laughed.
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They reached the town in a few hours. Horia, Cezar and Ioan said their goodbyes and went to spread the word that the vampire was dead, while the others waited at the church for the carriages that would take them back to one of the larger more industrialized towns where they would take a vehicle to the airport before flying back to new york.
"I wish you would stay for the celebration." Emil stood by them near the doors as they waited for their cabs. "There is to be a feast and a band in celebration of the monster's defeat."
Lexy smiled and nodded. "We're sorry, but there will be more work to be done when we get back."
"A hero's work is never done." Andrei smiled and went to stand with them.
"We're not heroes." Lexy shook her head. "Just people doing our jobs."
"Then you did a very good job." Anatolie laughed as he began blowing out the candles near the alter. "The people have reason to celebrate once more."
There was a clacking sound as the carriages rolled up to the church. They were once again greeted by Gregory and Ivan who were surprised to see them alive again.
They had less gear and agents and so packed everything into Ivan's carriage then climbed into Gregory's themselves, and like that were off.
Lexy stood from her seat and made her way to the cab. She pulled the rosary from her pocket and handed it to Gregory.
"Thank you for lending me your rosary, it helped us greatly."
He smiled proudly. "You keep it. It may serve you well again in your future endeavors."
"I could not accept such a beloved gift." She told him.
"I don't need it anymore." He shook his head. "The beast is dead and our children are safe. Keep it, and always remember Romania." He smiled kindly.
She was about to protest again when Ivan spoke.
"It's rude to refuse a gift here."
She wasn't sure if he was telling the truth as he smiled heartily. Either way she nodded and placed it around her neck and took her seat once more.
They reached the large town within a few hours and in no time were off in a couple vans towards the air port. Within the hour they were flying back to New York. Abe and Lexy slept the whole way exhausted from the endeavor.
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They reached home and were greeted by an over joyed Liz and Hellboy, the latter wanting to know how Lexy's first vampire hunt went. Lexy told the story and both of her friends congratulated her. Very few agents could single handedly take down a Vampire alchemist. They said she was already at the level of a senior agent within the years she's been with them, which made her feel overjoyed at their acceptance and pride in her.
After the initial greeting Abe suggested they go and talk to the professor about the strange symbol Lexy had produced.
Broom listened to the story then retrieved an old book of ancient symbols of power. They flipped through the musty pages until Abe pointed the same symbol. A small circle with eight forks coming out of the center.
"The Helm of Awe." Broom said eyeing the symbol. "A very ancient and very powerful symbol. It is one of the strongest symbols of protection." He turned to attention to Lexy. "You summoned this symbol from your right hand correct?"
She nodded, not really knowing what any of this meant or was meaning.
"May I?" He motioned to her hand.
She raised to show him.
He carefully examined her palm. "You were bleeding before." He said noticing the healing cuts.
She nodded. "Yes, when she knocked me aside the vial of Alexander's holy water shattered in my hand."
"And then you grabbed the vampire?"
She nodded again.
"Professor what does this all mean?" Abe asked in concern for his friend.
The professor removed his glasses and rubbed them with a cleaning clothe before re-applying them.
"It means that Lexy may perhaps posses alchemical powers she is not fully aware of." At this he turned back to her. "Lexy, do understand what alchemy is?"
"A bit but I think my knowledge of it may be lacking. I know alchemy is a form of magic, the most advanced. It's the ancient metaphysical science or mystical art of manipulating and altering matter by using natural energy. This act is known as 'Transmutation'. The practice of alchemy is to create and alter something out of raw matter or turn one object into another. It's widely believed to be capable of anything. Alchemy is often viewed as magical or miraculous by those unfamiliar with the craft, but it is a science and as such is subject to certain laws and limitations, all of which fall under the concept of 'Equivalent Exchange'. In order to obtain or create something, something of equal value must be lost or destroyed. It was first created and discovered by the grand sorcerer Merlin in 1113 BC and was continued by the Black Eagle Cult. But that's the extent of my knowledge."
Broom smiled proudly. "You shouldn't doubt yourself so much. Yes that is alchemy to a T, and I believe you may posses it's capabilities. The Helm of Awe is not easily summoned. I'd say even a very practiced alchemist would have trouble creating one. Yet you did it without even trying."
"But sir, I thought only very specific people could become alchemists. In the ancient country many studied the sciences of alchemy yet only a small fraction could actually perform it. Merlin himself was said to be the half blood child of a mortal woman and an incubus."
The professor nodded understanding. "Yes, it's true that only those of certain blood can truly perform and master alchemy. I believe you may have some mystical ancestry. Tell me do you know much of your heritage?"
She shook her head. "My grandparents on both my mom's and father's side died before I was born. My parents never really talked about their heritage, just that my mom was one-fourth Mexican and my dad was half Polish. Neither did I have any aunts or uncles."
Broom nodded thoughtfully. "Then perhaps you might have some long lost ancestor who was alchemical."
"Yes it's not too unusual for a trait that is dormant in the parents to suddenly become dominant in the offspring." Abe said thoughtfully. "And I think you've performed alchemy before. Remember Cleo, the kitten you saved?"
"Kitten?" Broom asked confused.
Abe nodded. "Last spring when Hellboy's cat gave birth. There were five kittens but one we thought was still born, I didn't sense anything from it. Then Lexy took it in her hands and rubbed it for a minute then suddenly it was crying and moving about."
"But that wasn't magic." Lexy explained. "I've worked with animals for a long time. Sometimes a kitten can seem dead, but really they're too cold to move. If you raise their body temperatures enough it snaps them awake."
"But I didn't get anything from it, not even a heart beat." Abe affirmed.
"Even if you've never before performed alchemical reactions it still stands that you summoned the Helm of Awe and that alone convinces me you have some power. Transmutation circles were already scribed throughout the room. When the holy water and your blood mixed and created a alchemical solution. The blood acting as the base and the holy water as the catalyst and contribution. And in your time of need, when Abe was in danger and you ran to defend him, your emotions released the energy needed to combine and charge the solution, thus forming into the summoning of the Helm of Awe and vanquishing the vampire. Even she a practiced alchemist was unable to resist against your summoning."
Lexy was taking it all in. She was unsure of what this all meant, that she could possibly posses this ability that the others were so sure of. Finally she spoke.
"So what does this all mean?" She wasn't really sure where to go from here.
Broom smiled. "It means you might have some more studying to do. Lexy would you be against trying to become a full alchemist?"
She blinked unsure. "What would I need to do?"
"Further your studies on chemistry, physics and ancient alchemical theory. It is a lot to cover I know but I believe you will benefit from the science. "
"Yes," Abe agreed fully. "Your already a master charm maker, it comes so naturally to you."
It took her only a few minutes to make her decision. "Alright then. If you really believe I can, then I'll try my best. Where should I begin my studies?" She asked them both now fully on board with the idea.
Professor Broom laughed at her sudden eagerness. "That didn't take long. I suggest chemistry then physics and after those you'll begin practical alchemy."
That was when Lexy began her training as an alchemist.
Chemistry came to her like a second language, she tore through book after book until she understood it backwards and forwards.
Physics was a bit slower but still what would have taken others years to complete she masterfully learned in months.
Her learning capacity was so progressive that sometimes Abe would run out of material for her. He'd give her an entire book and tell her to read it carefully and take notes. He'd expect it to take her a couple of weeks and four days later she'd come into the study with the finished book and notes. And her notes! She would not only comment on the contents, she would further the theories or work out the inward problems of the literature to a point where you convinced she was an authority on the subject.
When Abe had went to the professor and told him of her abilities to learn at the speed she did the professor would laugh and nod, he too had witnessed her tearing through the pages of her books like bullets through paper, and say that he chose a good savior that night with the Hodag. Abe would laugh and agree whole heartedly.
Not only had Lexy proven to be one of the most capable agents they had, since she had become a field agent their overall losses had decreased. Her refusal to never abandon friends or fellow agents had seemed hazardous at first, but then she proved she had the skills to back herself and others up. Casualties within the bureau had decreased significantly, especially on her teams. So the professor had begun sending her out with Hellboy and Abe almost every time they were called in. Hellboy was careless, there was no denying that, but when paired with Abe and his ability to see the unseen and Lexy's phenomenal field skills they hardly ever lost more than two agents if any on a single mission.
Not to mention she herself was amazing. Kind, sympathetic, friendly and nurturing towards others and yet at the same time fiercely protective of her friends and with a willpower and determination to match. She seemed to posses limitless potential, an expert marksman, and charm maker, one of the fastest and strongest of all their human agents, medically and technician trained, her ability to memorize and recall copious amounts of information of all subjects from Shakespeare to theoretical physics. She was a prodigy of the human species and yet modest, gentle and sweet. She'd come a long way from the broken girl that Hellboy had carried in after the Mngwa attack.
Liz looked to her for comfort and relatability when her two inhuman male friends weren't able to understand certain problems.
Hellboy had taken her in as a little sister and found a sense of responsibility in taking her under his wing. He also enjoyed having someone who wasn't worried about getting dirty when it came to the job. She too was just someone he could just hang with or play video games with.
She and Abe were probably the closest. For her first year at the bureau she was his shadow. She followed him everywhere from the mess hall to the study where Abe taught her her lessons. But Abe never minded, in fact he quite enjoyed her company. She was intelligent and a wonderful conversationalist.
Lexy had such unique set of beliefs. Besides being vegan she was also an atheist, which was a new take on the christian raised group, though they never knew this until Christmas. Her taste in music and the arts was such a contrast to Abe's own. She enjoyed more classic rock and heavy metal, he loved Bach, Verdi, Chopin and Handel. She adored Vincent Van Gogh, Alberto Valentini, Edgar Allen Poe, and Da Vinci.
He found her interests strange but she offered such different and unique opinions, they spoke often of themselves and their lives before becoming agents. Only when he was on a mission was she not allowed to follow. Though it was not odd to find her asleep on the couch in the study.
The professor himself saw her like a daughter, not only because of Hellboy's taking of her, but because of the duty she had assumed towards the other members of the bureau.
Since his age had started catching up with him he was not able to perform all the tasks necessary to keeping the organization afloat. The paperwork he could handle and the occasional meetings with Washington, but the constant strain of looking after all the agents especially Hellboy, Liz and Abe, and especially Hellboy, had started to become taxing on his health.
Over time Lexy had noticed this, despite his best efforts to keep it hidden, and taken over many of the daily jobs he used to perform. From keeping the study organized, checking and making sure all agents were accounted for during role call, keeping track and filing of all past missions and getting agents prepared and debriefed for future ones and most importantly keeping Hellboy busy and out of trouble for long periods of time.
And she did it all so causally, as if she'd been doing it her entire stay. Broom was actually unsure if the others even noticed all her hard work. That was why Broom was thinking on something very important.
Now with age beginning to take control of more of his daily life he worried for the future of the bureau and for it's residents. When he was gone he was sure Manning would want to take immediate control and honestly he didn't want that. He needed someone brave, loyal, intelligent and kind to entrust with all he'd created, Manning was none of these things. But Lexy, she was above and beyond these requirements. The pain of loss had made her humble and her training here had made her strong. She understood what was necessary for the bureau but was also kind enough to run it with compassion, yet be stern and stand firm at the same time.
There was one small problem though, even though he loved her like a daughter, she wasn't and neither did the law see her as his. So when he passed the bureau would not go to her. Of course if he legally adopted her then all was well, and that was where the ethical issue came in. They were a family to one and another yes in spirit, but the legal act of adoption was not so easily considered. He didn't want her to think he was trying to replace her real father, he understood her loss and had only sympathy and respect for her. Nor did he want her to think he was simply using her for the good of the organization.
He would have to have a long discussion about the topic with her, she might not even want to take over the bureau. If that was the case he'd drop the issue, he didn't want to try to force her into the job as it was very demanding and consumed much of one's time and life. But if she did accept his offer then they would fix up the legal issues and put her as the inheritor of the bureau.
Of course Manning would eventually hear about this and throw a tantrum and take legal actions. Oh he would try to convince Washington that Lexy was unprepared for the job as head of the B.P.R.D. But Broom had friends in Washington, powerful friends that would back him up, and if Manning tried too hard then he would be removed for being too unstable for the job. For now though he would have to wait until the time is right.